Fox Searchlight goes ‘Way Back’

Comedy is directorial debut for 'Descendants' scribes

Fox Searchlight has acquired North American rights, as well as most rights in major territories, to “The Way, Way Back.” The comedy marks the directorial debut of “The Descendants” scribes Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, who also wrote the script.

Coming-of-age story stars Liam James as a introverted 14 year-old on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend and his daughter. He finds an unexpected friend in the manager of a water park, who helps the teen find his place in the world during a summer he’ll never forget.

Kevin Walsh and Tom Rice produce, while Ben Neam, George Parra and Gigi Pritzker exec produced with Faxon and Rash. Fox Searchlight plans to release the film this summer.